hawkinspeter

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 15 replies - 2,251 through 2,265 (of 3,248 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • in reply to: Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? #946201
    0
    hawkinspeter
    Bmblbzzz wrote:
    Another factor might be that, unlike clocks and mills, the bicycle doesn’t seem to address a need. We walked. If we needed to carry heavy loads, we used a horse and cart. To go quickly, we rode a horse. But mostly we walked. So transport wasn’t something we lacked. Whereas telling the time with any more precision than morning, noon, afternoon and night – and so being able to arrange meetings, for instance – was something we couldn’t do. 

     

    By the way, I second the recommendation for the Herschel Museum. 

    I did read somewhere (can’t remember where) about how the Romans could possibly have invented bicycles much earlier, but obviously didn’t. There was mention of how Roman roads often had two smooth grooves in them to allow cart wheels to travel easily and a bicycle would be a natural shape (as opposed to a tricycle) to also use one of those smooth ruts.

    By the way, the most important application of clocks was navigation – the easiest way to determine longitude is with an accurate timepiece.

    Incidentally, if anyone is interested in how developments in one area spur developments elsewhere, then I can thoroughly recommend James Burke’s Connections series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XetplHcM7aQ

    in reply to: Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? #946197
    0
    hawkinspeter
    HowardR wrote:
    Re: “Americans who think Pluto should still be classified as a planet, because it was the only large solar system object discovered by an American

    If I was witty I’d be able to craft a joke around the theme of the inhabitants of Bath & the discovery of Uranus …. sadly I’m not.

    p.s – A museum recomend: https://herschelmuseum.org.uk/

    Thanks for the museum recommendation – I might give that a visit.

     

    in reply to: Flying Squirrels at the Tour de France #946279
    0
    hawkinspeter
    ktache wrote:
    Thank you for that, good to know about the levels of choreography and planning.

    You’re welcome. I thought it was a well written article and really makes you appreciate how much effort they put into it – those pilots must be incredible.

    in reply to: Flying Squirrels at the Tour de France #946275
    0
    hawkinspeter

    Not this kind of flying

    Not this kind of flying squirrel

     

    in reply to: Avon & Somerset pushing bike registration services #946227
    0
    hawkinspeter
    OldRidgeback wrote:
    sheridan wrote:
    hawkinspeter wrote:
    They had a tent up at the end of the Great Weston Ride on Sunday so I got my bike marked and registered as it’s free. Luckily I’ve never had cause to see if it’s worthwhile as I imagine it’s only a small number of bikes that get recovered by the police.

    Apparently having the sticker saying it’s marked acts as a deterrent to bike thieves.  I’ll be interested to see what experiences people on this thread have had.

    Well I had one of my BMX race bikes marked and one of my son’s. Neither was ever stolen.

    My bike hasn’t been stolen since Sunday, either.

    hawkinspeter
    Mungecrundle wrote:
    alansmurphy wrote:
    I went subtle:

     

    Username: YouMumsAreLovely

     

    Are you all mums?

    Because I really fear for the future of society if this is the kind of educating you’re engaged in!

    Just to clarify, how much are you willing to pay for your Chardonnay to have a number plate on her Peppa Pig trike and be tested for her driving abilities? Or rather, do you prefer to hurl swear words at her whilst she gets fat on turkey twizzlers inspired by diamond crush on her knocked off iPad?

     

    Like a weasel in a rabbit warren.

     

    Keep up the good work.

    A weasel?

     

     

    hawkinspeter
    kil0ran wrote:
    hawkinspeter wrote:
    Sorry, I could only stomach a few posts. They were less rabid than I expected though.

    I like this one that raises a question that more cyclists should be asking about PPE on the roads:

    “Was she wearing hi-viz”

    Why? Are we all supposed to wear hi viz now when walking on pavements in case a cyclist on the pavement wishes to speed along the same pavement? [confused]

    That was me yes

    Noice!

    in reply to: Avon & Somerset pushing bike registration services #946219
    0
    hawkinspeter

    They had a tent up at the end

    They had a tent up at the end of the Great Weston Ride on Sunday so I got my bike marked and registered as it’s free. Luckily I’ve never had cause to see if it’s worthwhile as I imagine it’s only a small number of bikes that get recovered by the police.

    in reply to: Litespeed and Trump!? #946179
    0
    hawkinspeter

    No, it’s not.

    No, it’s not.

    It still surprises me just how racist parts of the U.S. actually are. It’s noticeable that the press shies away from using the term “racist” despite all the evidence

    https://boingboing.net/2019/07/15/why-wont-the-big-news-outlet.html

    and of course Trump is not bothered about being labelled a racist: https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1150815828218003461/video/1

    In addition, it appears that neither of our potential Prime Ministers have the common decency to call him a racist.

    hawkinspeter

    Sorry, I could only stomach a

    Sorry, I could only stomach a few posts. They were less rabid than I expected though.

    I like this one that raises a question that more cyclists should be asking about PPE on the roads:

    “Was she wearing hi-viz”

    Why? Are we all supposed to wear hi viz now when walking on pavements in case a cyclist on the pavement wishes to speed along the same pavement? [confused]

    in reply to: channel five- f’ck off! #945635
    0
    hawkinspeter

    Boatsie wrote:

    Boatsie wrote:
    Pushing50 wrote:

    Please explain a genuine query – What has a cheese and sofa company got anything to do with cyclophobia and hatred? If they do not carry favour and incite hatred to cyclists, then it looks like I am going to have to burn my modular sofa using the molten red wax of my mini cheeses.

    Is that wax? We’re supposed to eat that? Core tastes better though, yes.


    I don’t know if I dreamt it, but I’m sure I saw a mint flavoured BabyBel on an advert last night.

    in reply to: Basic bike maintenance #945965
    0
    hawkinspeter

    Ditto about the drivetrain.

    Ditto about the drivetrain. You can never spend too much time caring for your drivetrain.

    Check your tyres have sufficient pressure every so often as well as that can make a big difference to how fast the bike goes and may provide warning of a slow puncture.

    If you’re going to use a pressure washer, try to avoid shooting water at any of the bearings as the pressure can allow water to get past the bearing seals and then cause corrosion. Personally, I use a bucket with warm water and car shampoo (doesn’t have salt in like washing up liquid) and some old washing up sponges when my bike has some dirt on it (probably every other week).

    In general, bikes don’t require much maintenance, but pay attention if a new noise develops whilst riding. Although noises are notoriously difficult to pin down, they often signal that something has worked loose or needs attention.

    in reply to: Don’t upset the motorists! (Guardian article) #945921
    0
    hawkinspeter
    Rick_Rude wrote:
    hawkinspeter wrote:
    Rick_Rude wrote:
    Read Road.cc – end up with anger issues again.

    The best way of dealing with anger issues is to go for a bike ride.

    and hopefully not get run-over. Riding home soon via a Mcdonalds (always a danger point of chav mobiles). Wish  me luck.

    Good luck!

    I find fish’n’chip shops to be worse for random parking/pulling out and general not looking around before maneuvering.

    in reply to: Don’t upset the motorists! (Guardian article) #945915
    0
    hawkinspeter
    Rick_Rude wrote:
    Read Road.cc – end up with anger issues again.

    The best way of dealing with anger issues is to go for a bike ride.

    in reply to: Don’t upset the motorists! (Guardian article) #945907
    0
    hawkinspeter

    It doesn’t appear to have

    It doesn’t appear to have been libellous as other reports only mention it being ‘upsetting’ to the defendant.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-48915189

    https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/violet-graces-grieving-dad-shares-16571787

Viewing 15 replies - 2,251 through 2,265 (of 3,248 total)